As a ham radio operator, I can tell you that length of the antenna
matters in regards to standing wave and therefore efficiency of the
transmission. The other factor is polarity, i.e. going from vertical to
horizontal (one antenna vertical, the other horizontal) causes a 3db
loss of signal strength over both being vertical or both being
horizontal.
You may want to find a local Ham radio operator that can help you with
some 'radio' hints as antennas can matter much more than the actual
radio. They may also have a 2M Standing Wave meter which would work in
the aviation band to test the tuning of the antenna.
N7VVO
Andrew S. Wainwright
Building Europa ??? Starting Jan 1999 (hopefully!)
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Radio reception
I am using the Europa copper strip antenna with a Becker radio.
I have noticed that although the tower reception is clear and I have no
interferance at all I
sometimes cannot hear other airplanes, even when we are within one mile
of each other.
Also, although the reception in the plane is OK I notice that my
transmission range is only about 10
Miles.
I have not yet shortened the copper strips as suggested in the
instalation manual because it
means removing the rudder each time.
Does anyone have any experience with this "tuning" of the antenna or can
anyone suggest a good
antenna.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Best regards
Barry Tennant
D-EHBT
By the way, I can consistently land without bouncing by giving a good
dose of power in the flare to
damp the descent.
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